Chapter 387 Scoring, the Mark of a Death Eater
Dumbledore crouched by the lake, apologetically treating the Merperson chieftain's arm injury, then returned to the judges' table to discuss scoring with the other judges.
A few minutes later, Bagman's voice rang out. He pressed his wand to his neck, amplifying his voice with the Amplifying Charm to ensure everyone present could hear clearly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, now for the scores each champion received in the second task.
Miss Delacour demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm and successfully rescued her hostage in the last minute of the time limit. We award her forty-two points."
"That's a bit high for me," Fleur said, shaking her head self-deprecatingly. "If it weren't for someone's help, I wouldn't have even gotten past the Grindylows."
"Uh..." Aaron rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Didn't I warn you about dangerous creatures in the Black Lake? Don't you know Grindylows usually like to hide in the weeds?"
"Bad luck," Fleur said glumly. "I encountered a giant squid while diving, and in avoiding it, I accidentally stumbled into that patch of weeds."
"Tsk! That's pretty tragic."
"Viktor Krum used Transfiguration, and though it wasn't quite complete, he returned with his hostage within the allotted time.
He was the third to emerge, and we've decided to give him forty-five points."
"Harry Potter took Gillywater, achieving astonishing results.
He was the first to complete the task within the time limit and rescue his hostage. After discussion by the judges... forty-seven points."
Hermione and Ron were overjoyed, laughing happily.
But Harry lowered his head guiltily. He knew how he got that score; the source of the Gillywater was somewhat disreputable, especially with Professor Snape's icy gaze from the stands making him feel like he had a thorn in his side.
"Cedric Diggory, he also used the Bubble-Head Charm and completed the task within the time limit. We also award him forty-seven points."
The Hufflepuff students cheered enthusiastically, everyone clapping excitedly.
In their eyes, Cedric should have been first. Harry Potter had merely consumed a precious herb and hadn't truly demonstrated his own abilities.
"Finally, Aaron Gaius." Bagman's tone rose a few notches. "We all witnessed his performance. He used advanced magic, remaining completely dry in the icy Black Lake. He had to rescue two hostages and made a clever choice. In the end, he chose to help the fourth champion, rescuing her from the Grindylows' encirclement.
Although he exceeded the one-hour time limit, his performance was impeccable. The judges have decided to give him forty-nine points."
The Slytherin students cheered loudly, Fleur and Hermioneclapped vigorously, and Luna also cheered for him.
"Finally, the third task of the Triwizard Tournament will take place on the evening of June twenty-fourth.
The champions will know the contents of the task one month in advance. Thank you all for your support."
Bagman's voice ceased there, and the spectators gradually left their seats. Cedric, Fleur, and Krum also decided to go back and get some good rest.
Aaron took Abe back from Adrian's hands, then looked at her with a resentful expression. "Are you satisfied now?"
"Very satisfied," Adrian clapped her hands. "You made a choice, but the way you chose was unexpected."
"You're truly my older sister," Aaron said with a wry smile.
"Cousin."
"Alright! Cousin, how do you plan to torment me in the next task?"
"You'll know then, but the final task will be even more exciting than the first two combined. If it's really impossible, our agreement will be void.
But you'd best be mentally prepared, because that means Clea will be visiting your home after the holidays."
Aaron:...This is truly unexpected.
"The thing I dislike most is giving up halfway."
"We'll see. Do well," Adrian patted his shoulder, smiled, and turned to leave.
Aaron gritted his teeth, taking several deep breaths to suppress the urge to curse.
"Um..." Harry called out somewhat stiffly behind him, a look of resignation on his face. "Let's go, to see Professor Snape."
"Hmm?" Aaron looked surprised. "I have to admit, you have a bit more backbone than I thought. I figured you'd drag it out indefinitely!"
Harry gave an awkward laugh; he had indeed had that thought at first.
Aaron disliked trouble; if he could put it off for ten days or half a month, he would gradually forget about it.
But not now. Professor Snape's face had been terrifyingly dark just now. He surely knew his Gillywater had been stolen.
Confessing proactively, with Aaron's help, wouldn't result in too severe a punishment.
Otherwise, if Snape ever came knocking, he'd be in for a bad time. After all, Potion Class was an unavoidable hurdle for them, and it would be incredibly easy for Snape to punish him.
The two entered Hogwarts Castle, turned dozens of times in the long corridor, and stopped in front of Professor Snape's private storeroom.
Just as Aaron was about to knock, Karkaroff's voice came from inside.
The Durmstrang Principal sounded incredibly anxious, his tone filled not only with urgency but also boundless fear.
"It's a sign, Severus. You and I both know what it means.
You must have noticed, it's never been this clear, ever since..."
"Hide," Snape said fiercely. "If you don't want to face it, you can try to run. I'll do my best to mediate for you.
I'm not in a good mood today. We'll talk later, Karkaroff."
The door suddenly opened. Aaron remained in the knocking posture, and Harry stood stiffly behind him, sweating nervously.
Seeing someone outside, Karkaroff hastily pulled down his sleeve, but Aaron clearly caught sight of the mark on his left arm, secretly clicking his tongue inwardly.
The Dark Mark, the sign of a Death Eater.
You-Know-Who has been gone for over a decade, and you still have this mark? This loyalty truly stands the test of time!
"Aaron, what... are you looking for me for?"
"Yes, a little, but it seems we've come at an inopportune time."
Karkaroff's mouth twitched, forcing a smile uglier than a cry, and he quickly left Snape's private storeroom.
"You can speak now," Aaron shrugged, ushering Harry Potterforward. "He has something to tell you, Professor."
"Potter," Snape gritted his teeth, sneering, "Congratulations. You performed admirably in the Black Lake.
Gillywater, was it?"
"Yes, sir."
Snape nodded. "A brilliant idea, just a bit too daring."
He turned and walked into the storeroom, climbing a ladder. "That's a rare herb, Gillywater. You won't find it in an ordinary garden, nor will you find this."
Snape came down the ladder, a small crystal vial in his hand.
"Know what this is?"
Harry shook his head. "Definitely not pumpkin juice."
"This is Veritaserum. Just three drops will make you reveal your deepest secrets."
"Professor," Aaron interjected, "the Ministry of Magic doesn't allow this to be used on students."
"Don't I know that?" Snape said irritably. "I just want to tell Mr. Potter not to steal from my private storeroom again, or I might accidentally drop it into someone's pumpkin juice."
"Sorry, sir," Harry said very humbly. "I stole the Gillywater. I apologize to you."
"Hmph! Somewhat honest, but not entirely."
Harry's heart sank. He thought Snape had discovered Dobby stole the Gillywater. Just as he was feeling anxious, Snape's next words reached his ears.
"The Gillywater is harmless, but the African horned slug skin and lacewing flies are also missing.
You and your friends are brewing Polyjuice Potion, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry frowned. He admitted to the Gillywater, but the Polyjuice Potion truly had nothing to do with him.
"Just wait! I'll find out why."
Harry had previously felt he was in the wrong and always felt guilty when facing Snape.
But hearing this now, his heart was filled only with intense anger. He felt Snape was simply trying to pin the blame on him. Those ingredients might well be sitting on the counter, not stolen at all.
Harry glared coldly at Snape, turned, and left without another word.
"Quite a temper," Snape said disdainfully. "It seems that successfully passing the two tasks of the Triwizard Tournament has made our Savior arrogant."
"Uh... Professor Snape, is there a possibility that he only stole the Gillywater?"
"Who else could it be? The Gillywater, African horned slug skin, and lacewing flies were all stolen on the same day."
Aaron blinked, no longer speaking up for Harry.
He didn't think Harry and his friends stole the ingredients for Polyjuice Potion, because there was no need. The theft might just be a coincidence, as Hogwarts never lacked students who enjoyed pranks.
But he also didn't need to explain. Professor Snape's prejudice against Harry Potter was unusually strong.
"Professor, if I may be so bold, what was your relationship with Professor Karkaroff before?"
Hearing this, Snape's face immediately darkened, and he said coldly, "That's none of your business. Don't pry."
"I saw it," Aaron said meaningfully. "He has the Dark Mark on his arm. A Death Eater, isn't he?"
"Shut up."
"I won't tell anyone. You don't need to worry so much," Aaron said earnestly. "My respect for you won't change because of your past."
Snape took a deep breath, looking at him seriously. "I really want to cast a Memory Charm on you."
"With all due respect," Aaron said with a chuckle, "you... might not have the ability."
"Alright! Karkaroff and I used to be on the same side. Are you satisfied now?" Snape said helplessly, then pulled up his sleeve to reveal an identical Dark Mark on his arm. "As Karkaroff said, this mark has never been so clear. It's some kind of omen.
Coupled with the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup, I'm afraid You-Know-Who's return is not far off.
Forget what you heard and saw. This isn't something you can get involved in, understand?"
Aaron:...